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( Model.) F. L. STROBRIDGE, Decd.

v T. STROBRIDGE, administrator.

STRAW CUTTER.

No. 326,923, Patented Sept. 22, 1885.

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UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK L. STROBRIDGE, OF NEW BRIGHTON, PA.; TURNER STROBRIDGE ADMINISTRATOR OF SAID FRANK L. STROBRIDGE, DECEASED.

STRAW-CUTTER.

$PECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 326,923, dated September 22, 1885.

Application filed April 11, 1882.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK L. STROBRIDGE, of New Brighton, in the county of Beaver and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Straw-Cutters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved fodder-cutter. Fig. 2is afront elevation. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the roll-shaft and bed for the purpose of showing the operation of the weighted pressure-lever. Fig. 4 is a plan of the pressure-lever and its attachment. Fig. 5 is a section showing one of the slides of the cutting-frame. Fig. 6 isavertical section through the moving and stationary knives. Fig. 7 is aview of the knife and stiffening-bar.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in each.

On a frame, a, I form a box, a, of the usual construction, except that the front end of it forward of the feeding-rolls inclines downward, so as to make somewhat of a downward chute, as indicated by the dotted line a, Fig. 1. On the front of the frame are two vertical strips, b, secured one on each side of the frame by means of lugs 12. On the outer side of each of these strips b is a V-shaped or other suitable groove, b which grooves act as ways in which the reciprocating knife-frame travels, and for this purpose the strips I) extend on both sides asuflicient distance above and below the mouth of the cutter-box to permit the reciprocating knife to pass clear across the said opening. It will be observed that the extensions of strips 1) on the sides of groove 12" are flat, as are also the inside faces of the side pieces, 0, of the knifeframe. This construction insures the steadiness of the knife-frame during its reciprocation.

The knifeframe or yoke c is composed of two side pieces, 0, and two cross-pieces, 0 to the lower of which there is a pitman, d, which is connected to the crank e, formed on the power -shaft 9. Extending inward through slots in the side bars, 0, are two or more V- shaped spurs or projections, 0 which are adj ustably secured in their slots by set-screws 0. These projections extend into the V-shaped (No model.)

grooves b on the outside strips, 11, and secure the frame 0, so that it shall move properly upon its ways without lateral play. The adjustable spurs or projections c are provided with set-screws 0, so that they may be adj usted and fixed at any point to take up the wear of the parts.

The movable blade f is secured to the side bars, 0, in an angling position, so that when passing over the stationary cutting-blades it shall have a shearing action therewith, the said stationary blades being placed at right angles to the side pieces, 0.

The edges g of the feedbox constitute the stationary knives of the cutter. They are faced with metal, and their outer sides are vertical, being in a line with the front end of the machine, while as they extend inwardly they flare, so that the inner angle is less than a right angle. N o particular form of angle is necessary, the only purpose being to give a stationary bearing-surface for the fodder to hold it up against the action of the knife f as it reciprocates across the opening.

Back of the inclined chute a are two feed 7 rolls, h z, the lower one, i, of which is mounted in stationary bearings on a suitable shaft, and the upper one is mounted in sliding bearings, its shaft being connected by two links, it, one placed at each end outside of the box a of the machine,with a cross piece or rod, Z, which extends across the machine below the box a.

Extending horizontally and attached to the cross-piece l is a lever, m, having a weight, m, upon its long arm, and having a short arm, m which bears against the bottom of the box a. The purpose of this construction is to hold the upper roll, h, down upon the lower roll, or upon the fodder which is passing between them, so as to give a feeding-pressure to the upper roll, whether the quantity of fodder fed through between the rolls be great or small.

Power is applied to the rolls from the shaft 6 by means of a pulley, a, belt a, and pulley of. The pulley n is mounted on the end of a shaft, of, upon which is a pinion, n, which in turn drives the shaft 1 by means of a gear-wheel, i". The roll h is driven by means of a rabbit-eared gear-wheel, i, on the end of the shaft t" meshing into a similar wheel, h, on the end of the 100 shaft h. The cogs of the wheels 2" and h' are long, so as to permit of the vertical movement of the shaft h. The power-shaft is driven by a pulley, e", or other suitable power device, and is provided with a fly-wheel, 6 When there is no fodder between the rollsh and i, the weighted lever m draws down the roll h upon the roll 71; but when any fodder is fed in between them the roll h will rise sufficiently to admit it. The pressure upon the fodder produced by the weighted lever is constant, and sufficiently yielding to enable unequal quantities of fodder to pass between the rolls without destroying their bite upon it.

The operation of my improvement is as follows: The fodder being placed in the box a is fed forward into the bite of the rolls h z, and is by them driven through the chute a into the range of the knife f. The knife f reci-procates with great rapidity across the mouth of the feed or cutter box, and makes a shearing out upon the foddcr,both on its downward and upward motion, cutting on its downward motion against the lower stationary knife or edge, 9', and on its upward motion against the upper stationary knife or edge, 9. As the movements of the cutter are very rapid, and as it goes clear across the mouth of the feed-box in its reciprocation, it does not interfere with or check the feeding of the fodder through the mouth. a

The construction shown is simple and effective in its operation, secures the perfect alignment of the cutter, and enables me to remove the cutter-frame with ease and quickness in case it is necessary. The knife f is removably attached to its frame, so that it may be taken off for sharpening.

For the purpose of preventing the knife f from springing at the center under the pressure required in making the cut,I have applied to it a stiffening-bar, p, which is secured at the ends by the screws which fasten the knife in a place, and at the center is provided with a setscrew, 1), the inner end of which bears against the back of the knife. This bar stiffens the knife and prevents its springing when cutting. These devices are shown most fully in Figs. 6 and 7, Fig. 2 being too small to show the same advantageously.

The advantages of my machine are that it is simple in construction, very effective in its operation, requires but comparatively little power to run it, and has an even, steady feed, regardless of the quantity of fodder passing through the feeding-rolls.- V

Vhat Iclaim as myinvention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combinatiomwith a feed-box having two stationary cutters, an upper and a lower, said cutters arranged at its mouth, of a doubleedged reciprocating cutter provided with a stiffening-bar, and a set-screw for preventing the spring of the reciprocating cutter, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination, with the feed box having two stationary cutters arranged at its mouth and provided with guide-strips b, of the reciprocating double-edged cutter, and the reciprocating cutter-frame having the two side pieces, 0, each provided with adjustable spurs 0 substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of April, A. D. 1882.

FRANK L. srnonmnen.

WVitnesses:

J. H. LOGAN, MoPHERsoN BREEAR. 

